NARA microfilm publication M1890, Nonpopulation Census Schedules for Guam, 1930: Agriculture (3 rolls) reproduces general agricultural and livestock schedules reporting farm products grown or owned in Guam during 1929-30. These records are part of the Records of the Bureau of the Census, Record Group (RG) 29.

Background

The Bureau of the Census was established in the Department of Commerce and Labor by order of the Secretary of that Department on July 1, 1903. Previously, temporary census offices conducted and compiled census enumerations.

The first enumeration of agricultural products was undertaken in conjunction with the taking of the seventh population census in 1840 and then repeated with each decennial enumeration thereafter. For more information, see Carroll D. Wright, History and Growth of the United States Census (Washington: Government Printing Office, 1900).

The United States acquired Guam from Spain under the Treaty of Peace signed at Paris, France, December 10, 1898, and proclaimed April 11, 1899. The territory was governed by the Department of the Navy from 1898 to 1950 (Executive Order 108-A), and on July 1, 1951, administration was transferred to the Department of the Interior (Executive Orders 10077 and 10137). Guam is an unincorporated territory of the United States organized and governed under the provisions of the Organic Act of Guam (Act of Aug. 1, 1950, 64 U.S.C. 384), as amended in 1968 and 1998 (48 U.S.C. §1421 et seq.).

The Bureau conducted its first agricultural census in Guam in 1920 and then again in 1930, 1940, 1950, 1960, 1964, 1969, 1974, 1978, 1982, 1987, and 1992. In 1997 this function was transferred to the National Agricultural Statistics Services of the Department of Agriculture (USDA-NASS), which conducted a Guam agricultural census in 1998. Data for 1987 and 1992 were collected in 1988 and 1993, respectively, and thus are sometimes referred to as 1988 and 1993 censuses in USDA-NASS publications.

Records Description

These records consist of two series of census schedules--cultivated crops and livestock. In American Samoa the official census day for the taking of the fifteenth decennial census ("1930 census") was April 1, 1930.

The schedules are arranged by record series, then by enumeration district (ED). A sequential mechanically-stamped page number is in the upper right corner of the front side of each schedule. The arrangement is imperfect and somewhat confusing, however, due to two factors.

First, the Census Bureau and/or the enumerators incorrectly labeled schedules for EDs 1, 2, and 5. This problem was resolved by determining the names of enumerators from the Guam population schedules reproduced in NARA microfilm publication T626, Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, roll 2629, and allocating the agricultural schedules to the correct EDs, as shown in Table of Contents.

Second, some schedules for other enumeration districts are annotated with both the correct ED number and an incorrect ED number. Appendix IV lists each correct ED number, corresponding incorrect ED number, and enumerator's name, as shown in the population schedules in T626, Fifteenth Census of the United States, 1930, roll 2629.

Series 1: Form 15-28, Schedule for Cultivated Crops-Guam

Form 15-28, Schedule for Cultivated Crops-Guam, measures about 8 by 10.5 inches, with questions on the front side and instructions on the reverse side. One schedule was used for each farm. For the purposes of this schedule, a "farm" was defined as:

. . .all the land directly farmed by one person, either by his own labor alone or with the assistance of members of his household or hired employees. The farm . . . may produce field crops, fruits, and nuts, as well as livestock.

The questions asked on this schedule are shown in Appendix I. Farmers were to report the number of acres harvested and crop quantity produced during 1929, and to report the number of trees and plants they had on April 1, 1930.

Series 2: Form 15-41, Livestock Schedule-Guam

Form 15-41, Livestock Schedule-Guam, measures about 8 by 10.5 inches, with space for 28 proprietors of livestock on each side. Instructions on the reverse side indicate that "A report is required of all persons in Guam who own or have
in their possession any carabao, cattle, horses, hogs, goats, chickens, or ducks." (Emphasis added).

The questions asked on this schedule are shown in Appendix II. Each person was to report the number of livestock they had on April 1, 1930.

Enumeration districts having livestock schedules with information on the reverse side are